Singing love tunes in my basement was my introduction to my culture.

Before you call me out for stereotyping the Asian nation and its people, hear me out: I'm a second-generation Filipino Canadian with a penchant for Magic Mic (not the stripper film — the karaoke device many/most/all Filipino families have in their home).

Singing love songs in my basement wasn't only a great family pastime, it was my introduction to Filipino culture. Everything I know about my parents' country of origin I learned through song, and in the video above, I share these lessons with you.

I discovered that Filipinos love dance crazes, have grandiose ideas about love, and that parents have a unique dynamic with their children.

I also learned a few things about myself: I realized that the size of my nose and the colour of my skin doesn't tell my whole story.

Watch the video above to learn about Filipino culture through song.

Born And Raised is an ongoing series by HuffPost Canada that shares the experiences of second-generation Canadians. Part reflection, part storytelling, this series on the children of immigrants explores what it means to be born and raised in Canada.